Desaparecidos roars once again in Pomona

Conor Oberst of Desaparecidos stopping by the Glass House in Pomona on Sunday night. PHILIP COSORES, FOR THE REGISTER

A lot has changed since the last time Desaparecidos headlined the Glass House in Pomona, which frontman Conor Oberst noted was more than 10 years ago, going back to their 2002 tour.

For one, Oberst has cemented his reputation as one of the beloved songwriters of his generation, reaching commercial and critical heights with Bright Eyes that a decade ago wouldn’t have seemed likely. This short-lived side project disbanded shortly after that last outing, only to reunite last year and extend that reformation to pen new songs and embark on this current tour. Elsewhere, we have a new president, technology continues to change rapidly on every level and, most surprisingly, the Glass House now serves booze.

Some things haven’t changed, though – like the average age of someone attending a Desaparecidos show at the Glass House, where the group returned Sunday ahead of a second local show Monday at the Fonda Theatre in Hollywood. Though fans of Oberst and Bright Eyes have seen themselves grow up with the former child prodigy, there were fewer 30-somethings at the Pomona club than there were teenagers. In its long history as an all-ages dry venue, such a sight was once very common, sometimes creating a livelier environment than any L.A. counterpart.

That spirit was fully alive again this night, as young fans crowd-surfed, shouted back lyrics word for word and brought both the band and older fans backward in time, to when things may have seemed simpler but people were pretty much exactly the same.

This revival of Desaparecidos isn’t a money-making endeavor, but rather a money-stopping one, as the band played to end a Nebraska law that would have impeded on citizens’ rights based on skin color, effectively defeating it by bankrupting the political leader's fundraising. As most of the group’s songs are outspoken, Oberst put a disclaimer on the evening, noting that it may be “cynical and tongue-in-cheek” that the songs still hold their meaning a decade later.

He went on to call President Obama some bad words and make speeches about "American superiority" and that myth’s effects on people’s attitudes. He spoke about the average American’s ambivalence, albeit not out of judgment, claiming that he wished he, too, were more motivated yet often finds himself “watching Netflix, laying in bed.”

Between speeches there were songs, often put into context by more speeches. Three times Oberst thanked local opening act Joyce Manor, now on its second tour supporting Desaparecidos. Oberst recalled the youth and exuberance of the band as inspiration for continuing its reunion, each time inserting expletive-laden exclamations, and this time undoubtedly meaning it.

The band shared a new song, offered up their cover of the Clash’s “Spanish Bombs” and played just about every song they’ve written to fill a 90-minute set time. No song was poorly received nor delivered without unbridled enthusiasm, complete with head-bangs, hair-whipping and as many rock-star poses as indie fans will tolerate. The obvious favorites turned out to be correctly pegged, with “Mall of America,” “Greater Omaha,” “Mañana” and “Man and Wife, the Latter (Damaged Goods)” all getting deservedly huge, mosh-filled shout-alongs.

The night’s most telling moment came near the end, when Oberst asked for another salute to Joyce Manor, and then for “The Disappeared,” and finally for ourselves. Oberst heard what we all heard, and had the fortitude to point it out. “The biggest round of applause of the night comes for yourselves,” he said as these teenagers realized they were being clowned. Oberst’s conclusion: “That’s America for ya.”

He made nice before leaving, and while some younger fans may have been turned off by becoming the subject of his complaints and not the object of his affection, the refreshing sensation that comes from a singer using his microphone to say something – anything – important to them was more common 10 years ago. In the time since, some teens may have come to the same conclusion: it’s better to be the subject of ridicule than to slog through show after show of musicians afraid to offend.

The overall takeaway, though, was the earnestness, the energy and the passion on display. Some things never change.

Conor Oberst of Desaparecidos stopping by the Glass House in Pomona on Sunday night. PHILIP COSORES, FOR THE REGISTER
Desaparecidos' Landon Hedges returns to the Glass House after more than a decade. PHILIP COSORES, FOR THE REGISTER
Desaparecidos' Conor Oberst and Landon Hedges rock out at the Glass House in Pomona on Sunday night. PHILIP COSORES, FOR THE REGISTER
Desaparecidos' Conor Oberst, Landon Hedges, and Denver Dalley performing at the Glass House in Pomona on Sunday night. PHILIP COSORES, FOR THE REGISTER
Desaparecidos, led by Conor Oberst, charge into the Glass House in Pomona on Sunday night. PHILIP COSORES, FOR THE REGISTER
Desaparecidos at the Glass House in Pomona on Sunday night, after an eleven-year absence. PHILIP COSORES, FOR THE REGISTER
Desaparecidos' Conor Oberst shows his rough side at the Glass House in Pomona on Sunday night. PHILIP COSORES, FOR THE REGISTER
Matt Baum of Desaparesidos at the Glass House in Pomona on Sunday night. PHILIP COSORES, FOR THE REGISTER
Desaparecidos' Landon Hedges performing at the Glass House in Pomona on Sunday night. PHILIP COSORES, FOR THE REGISTER
Ian McElroy of Desaparesidos at the Glass House in Pomona on Sunday night. PHILIP COSORES, FOR THE REGISTER
Desaparecidos' Conor Oberst singing political rockers at the Glass House in Pomona on Sunday night. PHILIP COSORES, FOR THE REGISTER
Desaparecidos' Conor Oberst and Landon Hedges brought a political message to the Glass House in Pomona on Sunday night. PHILIP COSORES, FOR THE REGISTER
Desaparecidos' Denver Dalley snaps a photo of the crowd the Glass House in Pomona on Sunday night. PHILIP COSORES, FOR THE REGISTER
Desaparecidos headlined the Glass House in Pomona on Sunday night. PHILIP COSORES, FOR THE REGISTER

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